Page 11 of Huge Christmas
“Of course, I’m sure.”
“And don’t forget you can choose one to take with you,” Isobel says from the floor where she’s currently putting on her silver glitter pumps. My girl looks like a Christmas angel dressed up in her silver dress with a silver bow fixing up her long, shiny hair.
“Which one are you taking?” I ask.
“My baby doll,” she says, pointing to a bundle next to her. A little nose pokes out from a fluffy, pink blanket.
“She’s sure wrapped up snug,” I smile.
“It’s cold outside, Daddy. Ihave tomake sure she keeps warm.”
“Of course you do.”
Katelin appears from the bathroom in a black ribbed turtleneck, black satin skirt and long suede heeled boots. She’s painted her lips red, and at her ears are the diamond earrings me and my brothers chose for her main Christmas gift. Even after years together, she still takes my breath away. In fact, the years just make the ache in my chest even stronger.
There was a time when I got lost in wondering how long we’d have together. Katelin went through somuchand we were all grateful when she got the all clear. But none of us is ignorant to the potential risk she’s going to live with for the rest of her life.
Katelin found a way to put worry aside. She’s that kind of woman. Her no nonsense approach to everything is one of the things that attracted me to her in the first place. But the thing about loving someone so hard is that often, you worry about them more than they worry for themselves.
At least I have my brothers to share the burden with. Between us, we talk when we need to, and keep our concerns away from Katelin. She gets to have a normal life and enjoy our children. She deserves no less.
“You look gorgeous,” I say.
“Perfection,” Jason agrees.
“A goddess,” Bryan adds.
“Mommy, you’re so pretty,” Isaac says, his big green eyes wide as saucers.
She bends to straighten his jumper and pepper his face with gentle kisses. “Thank you, sweetie.” She bends and lowers her tone. “You look pretty good yourself.”
When he puffs out his little chest, Ihave toblow out a breath.
“Can I hold your hand?” Katelin asks.
“Sure, Mommy. I’m taking my dinosaur.”
“Good choice.” Katelin straightens and smooths her skirt before taking Isaac’s chubby hand.
“I’ve got Issy,” Bryan says.
“I guess that leaves me in charge of carrying all the bags?” Jason grimaces at the pile of things Katelin deems necessary for an afternoon at Harrison’s house. Like they don’t have a kid and everything we could require under their own roof.
“You snooze you lose,” I say as my twin loads both his shoulders with bag straps and then fills his arms with the box of food and drink Katelin has bought as our contribution to the day.
“Ready to go?” Bryan asks.
My eyes drift over our strange but perfect family, at our children who are such a perfect blend of all of us, at my brothers who make my life better every day, and at the woman who is the center of our universe.
This time of year, over all others, makes me thankful for how far we’ve come, and pray for many more steps in our journey to come.
7
BETHANY
“I think I need to sleep,” Liam says, throwing his arm around me and snuggling closer on Harrison’s super comfy sectional.
“This couch is perfect for that,” Harrison says, but then his eyes drift over the other eight people currently crowded on and he shrugs. “At least, it is when it’s just me and Jenna around.”